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Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Milton Parks and Rec director resigns.

MILTON, Ga. - After almost exactly a year, Milton's Parks and Recreation Director John Rebar is leaving the city.

Rebar, who came to Milton as it's second Parks and Recreation director, arrived from Doral, Fla., a suburb of Miami. He said he is going back to the Miami-Dade area, specifically to Miami Gardens, Fla.

"It's kind of like going home," he said. "There is that personal factor."Along with going back near where he used to work, he said the role will be a good fit, professionally.

"The opportunity presented itself. It's a really good professional opportunity for me."

Miami Gardens has a population of about 107,000 people and has only existed since 2003, when it was incorporated from Miami-Dade County. Rebar said it has a $6.4 million budget.

"It's a real good opportunity for me in my career," Rebar said.

Rebar began his career in the City of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and spent several years working for municipalities in south Florida, most recently serving as the Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Doral. Under his direction, the City of Doral Parks and Recreation Department earned the Florida Recreation and Park Association's "It Starts in Parks" award in 2008, 2009 and 2010 and was designated a 2010 and 2011 Playful City USA.

Under Rebar's helm, Milton has seen many recreational programs expand and the city completed the first draft of its parks and Recreation Master Plan – a complete roadmap of what the city wants out of its parks and how to get there. Bell Memorial Park has expanded significantly.

"John originally came to us from south Florida and will return for a position with the city of Miami Gardens. There he will lead a department of more than 100 employees and manage a multi-million dollar budget in a community of more than 100,000 people. I wish him tremendous success, and he will be missed in Milton," said Milton City Manager Chris Lagerbloom in a statement released by the city.

Rebar will leave his post mid-July. No replacement has yet been named.